“I came here, where freedom is being defended,  

to serve it, and to live or die for it.” 

 —Casimir Pulaski 

The Casimir Pulaski Monument in Monterey Square 

Polish nobleman Count Casimir Pulaski was a leading cavalry commander of the Commonwealth and fought bravely against Poland’s domination by Russia. When that uprising failed, he was driven into exile, finding refuge in France, where he met American-envoy Benjamin Franklin. 

With debt collectors on his trail and a letter of recommendation from Franklin in his pocket, Pulaski made his way to America to find General George Washington and enlist in the Continental Army. When he arrived to meet Washington, Pulaski discovered he was merely one more than a hundred foreign mercenaries attempting to obtain a valuable military commission from the American commander. 

But at the Battle of Brandywine Creek in September 1777, Pulaski was offered the opportunity to prove his cavalry skills by assisting in the retreat of Washington’s forces. At Brandywine, the Continental Army lost the battle to a superior British Army but credited Pulaski with rescuing it from capture. As a result, Pulaski saved General George Washington’s life and, perhaps, the American Revolution itself. 

Four-days later, Casimir Pulaski became a Brigadier General in the Continental Army. He later was given the unique title of ‘Commander of the Horse’ and formed the Pulaski Cavalry Legion. 

In early 1779, Pulaski requested reassignment to the Southern front. Washington ordered him to South Carolina to assist its militia. He fought in Charleston and later near Augusta, Georgia. 

Not long after, with assistance from French-Haitian Volunteers of Saint-Domingue (see PFS #50), Pulaski led a cavalry charge during the Second Battle of Savannah. He was mortally wounded. Casimir was only 32-years old. Years later, the cornerstone for this monument was laid by the Marquis de Lafayette.  

Bull Street in Savannah was designated to be an ‘Avenue of Heroes.’ From north to south: Johnson Square has the Nathaniel Greene Monument, Chippewa Square centered with James Oglethorpe’s statue, William Jasper’s impressive image is the focus of Madison Square, and Casimir Pulaski’s military contributions celebrated in Monterey Square — itself named for an American military victory in Mexico. 

Polish immigrants across our country have appropriately celebrated the life of Casimir Pulaski. Chicago named a holiday after him. His image has appeared on a U.S. stamp. A city, a mountain, and annual military parades held in his honor. A separate Savannah Square also honors him. And, of course, Fort Pulaski, located just a few miles down the Savannah River, was named in his memory, as well. 

But wait! (As the advertisements excitedly scream on TV.) There’s more!  

Ironically, perhaps appropriately, on top of Pulaski’s monument is an image of a female, representing Lady Liberty. There was always the unanswered question of whether the remains buried beneath the monument were those of Casimir Pulaski. During the monument’s repair, the entombed bones were tested against DNA samples from Pulaski’s Polish descendants. Those tests proved inconclusive. 

But further tests by the Smithsonian Institution suggested that our heroic Pulaski may have suffered ‘Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.’ The short story: Casimir Pulaski may have been a biological female!